MADISON HEIGHTS -- The right lanes of eastbound and westbound 12 Mile Road under the Interstate 75 bridge will close at 6 a.m. Monday as the state ramps up for emergency repair work on the overpass.

The orange barrels came out last week, warning of the construction work that will cause backups for a couple months in an area filled with popular shopping and dining destinations, including Home Depot, Lowe's and Marinelli's restaurant and banquet facility.

"It's already super busy around here. We're concerned," said Kitty Bates of Royal Oak, the manager at Marinelli's, 611 W. 12 Mile Road. "Orange barrels have become the other symbol of Michigan."

The right lanes of 12 Mile are expected to remain closed until early February as the Michigan Department of Transportation begins an $850,000 project to replace crumbling concrete where the bridge beams are secured to the support columns.

Advertisement

Then, the left lanes of 12 Mile will be closed into March. The lane closures will extend an eighth of a mile from the bridge in both directions.

Above, on I-75, the 145,500 drivers who cross the bridge every day should expect three weeks of lane closures and traffic shifts starting the week of Jan. 23. The inconvenience will result in safer travel for everyone who commutes on and below the bridge.

Inspectors recently noticed the support elements of the bridge needed to be shored up and designated the project as urgent.

"The deterioration of the concrete is causing concern regarding the stability of the structure," MDOT spokesman Rob Morosi said.

On Monday, crews will close lanes on 12 Mile Road to move in equipment and place temporary supports under the bridge. Then, workers will chip away at the weathered concrete. After that they will pour new concrete for a permanent fix of the bridge.

"The reason for the lane closures on I-75 above is we cannot have live traffic over the area that's being repaired," Morosi said. "The vibration from the traffic above will compromise the strength and durability of the repaired area."

The beams of the bridge will be bolted back into plates on the new concrete after it cures.

In about a week, the work will affect I-75 drivers. Initially, northbound I-75 will have lane closures and traffic shifts for 10 days. In addition, the eastbound 12 Mile Road loop ramp to northbound I-75 will be closed. When that work is completed, southbound I-75 will have two lanes open with a traffic shift. The westbound 12 Mile Road loop ramp to southbound I-75 will be closed for an additional 10 days.

Bates said she plans to keep Marinelli's customers updated about the shifting work and alternative routes on Facebook.

"It's only for a few months and maybe they will finish early," she said.

Morosi said I-75 drivers will see lane restrictions without construction crews because the work is taking place below the bridge.